Cool MateEarn
UK /["/ɜːn/","/ɜːnz/","/ɜːnd/","/ˈɜːnɪŋ/"]/US /["/ɜːrn/","/ɜːrnz/","/ɜːrnd/","/ˈɜːrnɪŋ/"]/
Definition
to get money for work that you do
In simple words: To get money for work or services.
Examples
- She works hard to earn a good salary.
- You can earn points by completing the challenges.
- He hopes to earn respect from his peers.
- They want to earn a medal in the competition.
- With his job, he can earn extra money on weekends.
Usage notes
Use 'earn' to talk about getting money from a job, prize, or investment. It is not used in informal contexts like 'make money' or 'score cash'.
Grammar pattern
earn + object
Memory hint
Think of 'earn' as 'earnings' — money you make for your efforts.
Collocations
- consistently
- reportedly
- reputedly
- have to
- need to
- expect to
- from
- a/the chance to earn something
- a/the opportunity to earn something
- earn a living as something
- really
- richly
- rightfully
- have to
- need to
- seek to
Synonyms
- receive
- gain
- acquire
- obtain
- make
Antonyms
- spend
- lose
- waste
Common mistakes
- 'Earn' is often confused with 'win' — winning is usually associated with luck or competitions.
- Learners might incorrectly use 'earn' without an object, e.g., 'I earn' instead of 'I earn money'.
- Some may say 'earn to' instead of 'earn for' when describing the purpose of earning.